By Sarah Johnson
(Reuters) – The United Nations aviation council is set to kick off the first audit of the U.S. civil aviation safety oversight system since 2007, as confirmed by a U.S. Federal Aviation Administration official during a press briefing on Tuesday.
The International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) will conduct this two-week audit with the participation of 12 auditors from 10 different countries, commencing on Wednesday. The results of this audit are expected to be revealed in January. The audit will encompass a review of various U.S. agencies involved in aviation, including the FAA, the National Transportation Safety Board, the Defense Department, and the Federal Communications Commission.
A total of 790 questions will be asked across eight different areas, such as civil aviation legislation and regulation, aircraft accident and incident investigations, and air navigation services. These audits play a crucial role in helping the ICAO assess the implementation of international standards.
Scoring well in this audit would enable the U.S. to showcase its commitment to meeting stringent aviation safety standards and set an example for other nations worldwide to follow suit, stated the FAA official.
The U.S. boasts the world’s most intricate airspace and has maintained an impressive safety record, with the last fatal U.S. passenger airline crash occurring in February 2009. The previous ICAO audit of the U.S. took place in 2007 under a different methodology.
In addition to being audited, the FAA also performs audits on other countries to ensure compliance with ICAO safety standards. Notably, Mexico was downgraded by the FAA in May 2021 and had its higher rating restored in September, allowing Mexican carriers to enhance their U.S. routes and introduce new services.
The FAA has been grappling with a persistent shortage of air traffic controllers and a series of near-miss incidents, some of which have been attributed to controller errors.
At various facilities, controllers are having to work mandatory overtime and six-day work weeks to address these shortages. The FAA is currently short of its staffing targets by approximately 3,000 controllers. Last month, the FAA announced an extension of cuts to minimum flight requirements at congested New York City-area airports until October 2025, citing ongoing air traffic controller staffing shortages.